Once you decide you want to read the Bible and “get something out of it” for your life, the task itself can be very intimidating. You have this huge book in front of you, what do you do? First off, read the article on Tips for Getting Started. Next, try this method below, it is one I have used on and off for most of my life. It is straight-foward and it really helps!
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture
Pick your passage and read it at face value and watch for God to highlight something to you. Think about questions like, “What was the author trying to say here?” and “What is the main point of this passage?”
Observation
Pick something that stuck out to you.
Some questions you can ask yourself are:
- What is God revealing or highlighting to me?
- What is touching my heart?
- What is something I don’t understand?
- What is something I never knew?
- What is something that rubs me the wrong way?
- Is something convicting me—challenging my worldview or how I live my life?
Application
Once you have decided on something that has kind of “stuck out to you,” then think about application. Ask yourself, “How can I apply this observation to my life? What is one practical thing I can do as a response to what God is showing me through this passage?”
Prayer
Then, you can turn your observation and application into a prayer. Sometimes it also helps to write it down somewhere so you can go back later and read what God has been showing you.
That’s it! Now go ahead and give it a try! Why don’t you start with Philippians? Start with the eleven verses of Philippians and see what happens!